 NEWS & UPDATES "THREE SITES UNITED IN ONE GREAT CAUSE" |
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20thfg.html |
index.html |
http://1stfightergroup.cjb.net |
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| 4 May, 2001: Made a few additions and corrections to the biography of Capt. Donald Reihmer after receiving an e-mail from him tonight. |
| 24 April, 2001: Added tribute article about Maj. Donald McAuley that was written by DavidKnight back in the 80's. Oddly enough this came to me a few days after being sent some pictures of McAuley by the son of a 20th.FG Armorer, Donald Cook. Mr. Cook has sent me many more photos and all will be included as I find time! |
| 2 March, 2001: Added several new sites to the LINKS PAGE. |
| 2 October, 2000: Added biography of Maj. John C. Wilkins, the 20th.FG's first battle casualty of the war. |
| 11 July, 2000: Added Michael Terry and Cal Hart's reports on the 2000 P-38 Reunion. |
| 24 May, 2000: Added final 20th.FG Picture of the Month (at least for the time being.) |
| 29 APRIL, 2000: Added "Ladies Flew P-38s Too", a review of the excellent book Sharpie by Capt. Art Heiden. Capt. Heiden sent a copy of this book to my daughter and it is a must read! Also fixed a few spelling/coding errors that were pointed out to me by Capt. Don Reihmer. Thanks Don! |
| 28 APRIL, 2000: Updated Bio of Capt. Don Reihmer, Bio of Capt. James Bradshaw, Bio of Maj. George Wemyss. |
| 2 APRIL, 2000: Updated 20th.FG Models and Col. Mark Hubbard. |
| 4 MARCH, 2000: Updated The Links Page and 20th.FG Models. More to come very soon! |
| 3 MARCH, 2000: Added 20th.FG Picture of the Month and updated the news from the Aikens Airplanes, who now have the new "California Cutie" die-casts in stock! |
| 1 MARCH, 2000: Added a new page to the 20th.FG Scrapbook.New 20th.FG Pic of the Month tomorrow! |
| 28 FEB., 2000: Updated the News page and started work on the promised addition to the 20th. FG Scrapbook, hope to have some new stuff up by March 1st. |
| 12 FEB., 2000: Updated section on Lt. Denis Alison. Continued fixing coding errors throughout the sites. Getting ready to add new pages to the 20th.FG Scrapbook |
| 1 FEB., 2000: Added new 20th.FG Picture of the Month. |
 I am sure many of you will recognize this ship as the Cunard White Star Super Liner Queen Elizabeth, which during the war was painted gray for lower visibility. Many USAAF personnel sailed from the US to England aboard her, usually without any escorts. |
This just in, die-cast replica of
"Happy Jack's Go Buggy", "California Cutie" and "Gentle Annie" are now
available. Click the button above for more information!
As many of you may already know I am in the process of relocating and thus both updates and research are kind of tough for me to do at the present. We have yet to find a new home so most of my spare time is involved with that endeavor. We should be settled in by mid-June and I have some great new stuff to add around then.
In the meantime, thanks to Ed Heinz and his crew these sites will be reaching a wider audience in the near future. Currently in the works are mirrored sites that will hopefully be able to be viewed by the 4% of you viewers who use Web-TV. Ed's crew seems to have figured the problem out (Web-TV appears to use an earlier form of Internet Explorer as their browser than these sites were designed to be viewed with,) and the changes will be made accordingly on these sites. I can not thank these great guys enough for all their hard work! As soon as everything is in place and finished the new URLs will be announced here.
Capt. Art Heiden also has passed on the news that Martin Caidin's excellent book Fork-Tailed Devil, which Heiden contributed to in many ways, will be reprinted and available again around June 1st.
I have added another great article by David Knight to the 20th. FG site. This is a tribute to Maj. Donald McAuley that he wrote back in 1986. An amazing read and another great man cut down too early in his life.
On March 28th. I received this e-mail from the staff of
Military.com:
Our editors have selected your site as one of the best military
sites on the Web. Military.com recognizes your website as a valued resource for
the military community. We salute you and your efforts. In appreciation, we
would like to present you with our Distinguished Military Site Award. Earning
this award entitles you to display the award on your site for the remainder of
2001.
Not only am I honored but I am humbled to have these sites recognized in such a manner. This award belongs not to me, however, it belongs to all of the great people associated with the 20th. and 1st. Fighter Groups and to the man who inspired this site, Maj. Jack M. Ilfrey.
I received this e-mail March 2nd. from the Assistant Operations Officer of the 71st. FS:
"I was interesed to see your story on Stub Hatch. I met him last summer at the 1st Fighter reunion in Riverside, CA, and correspond with him regularly. I was also interested in just about everything on your most excellent website. Keep up the great work. I look forward to chatting with you in the near future (I'm just a bit worn out from our week-long exercise that had me working 12+ shifts daily).
Cheers from Langley AFB!
-LtCol Pete "Toes" Bartos, Assistant Operations Officer, 71st Fighter Squadron
On February 2nd. I received a letter from the 20th. Fighter Group Association informing me that, in recognition for my work on these websites, they have given me a Honorary Membership in the Association. All I can say is that I am deeply honored and humbled. Thank you all!
I spoke with Maj. Jack Ilfrey in January and he seems to be doing quite well after his recent illness. He told me that the next issue of the newsletter will be out as soon as he can get everything together.
I am sure many of you are aware of the passing of my father, Capt. Sidney B. Edwards, USMC (ret.) on November 25th., 2000. I would like to thank all of you who have sent me messages of support and condolence. It deeply touched me. I hope no one minds that I have taken the liberty of using a few bytes on these sites to post the eulogy I wrote for him and a few images of the military gravesite services. I wanted to share a little of his great career with you all. They can be found HERE.
I received a copy of the original pressing of Jack Ilfrey's autobiography "Happy Jack's Go Buggy" recently and will be making a comparison review of the two versions sometime in the near future.
Speaking of reviews, Corey Jordan has posted a review of the new version of the book on his excellent website The Planes and Pilots of WWII Internet Magazine. This same review will be appearing on a national bookseller's site as well. To view it Click Here. Corey and Carlo Kopp's article concerning the P-38 Lightning (which used extensive information provided by our own Capt. Art Heiden and some photographs from the Hudgens Collection,) is appearing in an international aviation magazine. I'll update everyone as soon as I know more.
IN MEMORIAM
Capt. Thomas J. "Danny" Daniel, of the 79th. FS/ 20th. FG, passed away on September 8th. after an extended illness. His daughter, Dee Calbeck, informed me that, according to his wishes there were no services, however she and her brother Gary had a dinner to celebrate his life on Sept. 30th. They invited close friends and relatives who have had such a special place in their Dad's life over the years.
Ms. Calbeck said: "Dad's death left a great void in our lives. Going through his belongings, we have found some wonderful WWII memorabilia. Some things we wish we knew more of the history of, but are so touched that we have these things to remember Dad by."
I believe I speak for everyone who knew Capt. Daniel when I say he will be missed. I only met him once, for a brief moment, and he left quite an impression on me.
I am also sad to report the passing of both 20th.FG pilot Alvin "Freddy" Clarke and Prop Specialist Harry Linden. I am not sure of the dates for either man but found their names listed in the "Taps" section of the Sept. 2000 8th.AF News
MISSING 20TH.FG PILOT & P-51 INFORMATION
I received a message in the guestbook from a Kim Juhler, the Danish Representative for the 801st/492 BG concerning Lt. Harry M. Anderson of the 55th.FS., who was downed by a flakboat during a strafing mission against Esbjerg Airfield in Denmark on 27 August, 1944. She wrote:
Two P-51s stafed the airfield and one of them, Lt. Harry Moe Anderson from the 55FS, in plane# 44-13733, callsign KI-F, crashed down just outside the habour of Esbjerg after been shot down by a German flakboat. He is still Missing in action.. But we are trying to see if we can find The P-51. Is there still someone from that mission alive? If can you can, contact us!!
We will make sure, if we find the remains of airman Anderson, that he will get a proper funeral. Many days I have been thinking of Anderson`s family. We know he is out there but we only have to find him.. Please if you can help me with any information email me..
Kim
The e-mail address is [email protected].
I have asked Kim to put together a story about this search for inclusion on
the sites. Appearantly they have been working on this for many years.
This is
the same mission where Col. Cy Wilson, Lt.
Alphonso Kent and Lt. Edward Doering were also shot down, indeed another dark
day in the 20th.'s history.
Received a nice letter from Capt.Chris Pannell in mid-October which recounted his visit to the Glacier Girl Museum in Middlesboro, KY. While there he presented a copy of the 20th.FG History King's Cliffe to the museum for their collection. Estimated time till the "Girl" may be flying is now only 14 months...
Capt. Chris Pannell presents Bob Cardin, the head of the "Glacier Girl"
Restoration Group, a copy of "King's Cliffe" for the "Glacier Girl" Museum.
(Photo courtesy of Capt. Pannell)
JACK ILFREY IN NATIONAL TV COMMERCIAL
I woke up early this morning and was switching through the channels when I paused on CNBC. Just as I did a 30 minute commercial for a video tape series came on called "Hunters In The Sky". I wondered if, perhaps this could be the series that ran back in the early 90's which featured our own Jack Ilfrey, and lo and behold I see Jack on the screen!
The series is being released as a four-video/eight episode set for two payments of 29.99 and are now hosted by tv-movie actor Cliff Robertson. An additional 16 minute video and poster are also included in the purchase price. Jack only appears in two episodes but these tapes include interviews with a virtual who's who of aces from every country involved in WW2.
The number to call and order the tapes is 1-800-545-9449. There is also an
address where you can order the tapes via snail mail but I missed it.
I have also been corresponding back and forth with Everett R. Jones, Jr., the pilot of the B-24 (466th. BG(H))that was being escorted by Lt.Denis Alison on November 1, 1944. He has provided me with a number of articles concerning this incident and has provided some eyewitness accounts that a Me-163 Komet may have indeed been involved. I am hoping to get Jones, Martin Kösters and a few other individuals who have researched this, all together and see if anyone can come up with a deinitive story. Also, Jones may be attempting to get Alison a DFC for his bravery on that day. In any case I will keep you updated.
On May 21st., 2000 these sites began their second year of existence, I would like to thank each and everyone who has supported me in this and who have been so gracious with their time and submissions. I had a special surprise in the works for the sites, but things have fallen behind schedule. Keep checking in for updates.
I have finally got everything together for a report on the 2000 P-38 Reunion, thanks to James "Cal" Hart and Michael Terry. Seems like I missed a good time!
Also, I have been asked about what a "short snorter" is, and as luck would have it, I found an excellent article on just that subject in the Air Force Home Page's archives.Enjoy!
I just had a look at the tracker for these sites and I am amazed by the amount of international visitors there have been, people from the following countries have viewed the sites: United Kingdom, Japan, Czech Republic, Finland, Poland, Brazil, Germany, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, The Netherlands, Belgium, Italy, Sweden, Taiwan, Luxembourg, Lithuania, Spain, Denmark and France. And this is just since April, when the tracker was added!
I have received a few e-mails regarding King's Cliffe, the outstanding history of the 20th.FG put together by Maj. Edward Steiner and Capt. H.W. Howard, and I have created a page with all of the information you need to order a copy of your own, where to get microfilm records of the 20th. and where to find Jack Ilfrey's autobiography Happy Jack's Go Buggy, simply CLICK HERE! Remember, if you order a copy of Happy Jack's Go Buggy through the site,a percentage of the cost goes toward keeping the sites going.Also, remember, Jack himself is selling autographed copies from his home, just contact me and I'll tell you how to get one!
Once again thank you to all of the individuals who have contributed to this site and their families! Your input is much welcomed and wanted!
I HOPE YOU AND YOURS THE BEST OF EVERYTHING, AND IF YOU GET IT, REMEMBER IT WAS BECAUSE OF THE SACRIFICES OF MEN LIKE JACK ILFREY AND THE MEN OF THE 1ST. AND 20TH. FIGHTER GROUPS THAT YOU HAVE THE FREEDOM TO DO SO!
- Syd Edwards, Webmaster, Honorary Member, 20th. Ftr. Grp. Assoc., 8th. AF Historical Society, Confederate Air Force, A.O.P.A. -
 The 20th.FG patch that Max Pyles sent me and a current 20th.FW patch from my collection. |
I would also like to take this chance to ask each of you who visits this site to help support the National World War 2 Memorial.
Do not let these great men's sacrifices be forgotten!
MY ADOPTED P.O.W.'s PAGE FOOTAGE OF A JU-52 BEING DOWNED
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